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Here are the fantasy repercussions following the news that defenseman Kris Russell has inked a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers:
As @FriedgeHNIC first speculated, hearing that Oilers are finalizing one-year deal for $3.1 million with UFA D-man Kris Russell.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) October 8, 2016
Season-Long Fantasy
If your league includes blocked shots as a category, scoop up Russell near the end of your draft to round out your D-core. If you have already completed your draft, considering adding the veteran from the waiver wire.
Russell, 29, is a true shot-blocking artist. Since 2013-14, he has totaled 694 blocks in 209 games, leading the league in 2014-15. If your league uses a head-to-head, category format, Russell can single-handedly win you blocked shots in multiple weeks.
Though he still shouldn't be considered in non-blocked-shot leagues, Russell won't completely hurt your team in other categories. He is just two years removed from a 34-point season, where he took 111 shots and was plus-18. He isn't dynamic offensively by any stretch of the imagination, but he is a very good puck-mover.
Edmonton's D-core has some promising young players such as Adam Larsson, Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse, but with veterans like Russell, Andrej Sekera and Mark Fayne rounding out the unit, big minutes will be up for grabs.
Russell is accustomed to seeing a lot of ice time, averaging 23:05 last season and 23:57 the year prior. If he can get off on the right foot with head coach Todd McLellan, it wouldn't be surprising to seem him log heavy minutes, register 30 points and, of course, be among the league leaders in blocked shots.
Daily Fantasy
The majority of daily fantasy sites award a half-point for each blocked shot a player takes, in addition to a half-point for each shot on goal. This gives a player like Russell, who will certainly be priced very low to begin the season, great value. His high floor makes him an ideal candidate for cash games.
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